Quick-release holder



Aug. 8, 1944. R. E. BIRDSALL QUICK-RELEASE HOLDER Filed June 17, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTDRQ Robozrl; E. Birdsau BY I 68M)? ATTORNEYS.

I Aug. 8, 1944. R. E. BIRDSALL I I QUICK-RELEASE HOLDER Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil ed June 17, 1945 m1 ma Mn N N. Ed R V ,mB f E w i r 2 1 0 MM E 0 Patented Aug. 8, 1944 Lorri-CE QUICK-RELEASE. HOLDER Robert E. Birdsall, Detroit, Mich. I

Application June 17, 1943', Serial No. 491,235

(Granted under the act of March 3', 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 6 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon. I

The present invention pertains to a novel.

quick-release holder for various objects that can be suspended, such as, for example, periscopes in combat tanks, fire extinguishers, tools and the like.

The object of the invention can best be described in connection with the perisccpe in a combat tank. The periscope is usually suspended in the tank in such a position that it impedes certain infrequent but necessary movements of personnel within the tank or egress from the tank. In such cases it is desirable that the periscope be quickly removable from its support and quickly replaceable in position. In the eventthat the exposed portion of the periscope becomes damaged, it ishighly desirable to remove the periscope quickly and insert a new one. Similarly, in case the tank must be abandoned the periscope can be carried away if it is quickly and easily releasable from its mounting.

.The importance of a quick-release holder of like character for other objects such as fire extinguishers or tools will be evident.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described by use of corresponding reference numerals. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the holder mounted on a support;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a modified construction;

Figure 4 is a diametrical section thereof, showing the holder in elevation, and

. Figure 5 is a similar section. showing the parts in open position.

The numeral I represents a suitable supporting member such as, for example, a. horizontal wall of a combat tank through which a periscope is to be projected. It will be understood, however, that the invention is useful for supporting objects of various types as indicated above. The member l 18 formed with an opening 2 through which the periscope, in this case, is to be projected. Each of two opposite walls 3 of the opening 2 supports a quick-release holder. Inasmuch as the holders are identical, only one of them need be described in detail.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, a retaining member 4 is pivotally attached at 5 to the wall 3. The member 4 has an open cavity 6 beneath which is formed a projecting lip l for a purpose that will presently be described. The periscope 8 carries laterally extending pintles 9 on opposite walls, and each pintle is adapted to be received in one of the cavities 6.

Adjacent to the open side of the member 4, a latch or retaining member I!) is slidably supported in a manner to move towards and away from the member. The supporting means may consist, for example, of a shoe l0 secured to the wall 3 by a pin I l passingthrough a slot II in the latch to guide the latch in the desired movement. A spring l2 joins the latch to the support and normally moves the latch towards the member 4. The forward end of the latch I0 is also formed in the nature of a lip l3 preferably having its lower surface rounded at M.

When the retaining member 4 is suspended as shown in dotted lines in Figure .2, the pintle 9 is readily inserted in the cavity '6. Upward pressure on the object 8' swingsthe member 4 upward so that the lip I rises, on the surface I4- and moves the latch l0 rearward against the tension of the spring l2. When the lip I passes the surface I4, the lip I3 is drawn by the spring into interlocking engagement beneath the lip 1. The object 8 then hangs by its pintle 9 from the retaining member.

v Thelatch ID has a projecting portion. or tab I5 extending across one of the vertical surfaces of the object fl. When the object is'to be removed from the holder, it is first swung against the tab to release the latch from the lip 1. as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. While the object isin this inclined position, a downward pull in the angular direction swings the retaining member 4 downwardly and withdraws the pintle from the cavity 6.

. In the modification shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, two retaining members [6 and I1 are pivotally mounted on the wall 3 bysuitablepins or studs l8. These members are so positioned that the inward edges thereof, designated generally by the member l1 when, the cavity is closed, thereby I looking the members l6 and H in the closed position. The lower edge of the member I6 between the shoulder 25 and the recess is formed as a cam 26 frictionally engageable by the latch 24 to hold the members [6 and I! in the open position.

In the operation of the device. as thus far described, it may be assumed that the parts are in the open position and the pintle 9 moved upwardly into the open cavity. Pressure of the pintle against the top of either recess 20 swings the members [6 and I1 together. When the cam surface 26 passes the latch tooth 24, the latter snaps behind the locking shoulder under the action of a spring 21 mounted in the support 1 and exerting pressure on the latch.

The free or swinging end of the latch is formed with a tab 28 projecting across one of the vertical surfacesof the object 8. In removing the object, as in the previously described construction, the object is first swung against the tab to release the latch finger 24 from the shoulder 25 of the member I1. A downward pull on the object 8 in the-angular direction swings the member I'I outward, which movement also swings the member l6 outward through the gear segments 2|. The latch tube 24' then engages the surface 25 to hold the members l6 and I! in the open position whereupon the object may be withdrawn from the open cavity. The holder is now positioned for insertion of the same or another object as already described. Y

The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated, and it is intended that variousalterations in the details of construction may be incorporated without exceeding the scope of the invention as indicated by the annexed claims. 1

What I claim is: 1. In a quick-release holder, a support, a retaining member pivotally mounted thereon and having a cavity adapted to receive a pintle on an object to be supported in the'holder, a looking member movably mounted on said support relatively to the first member and engageable therewith in interlocking relation, resilient means normally holding the second member in interlocking engagement with said retaining member, said locking member having a portion positioned to be abutted by the supported object on swinging the latter, whereby to hold said locking member out of interlocking engagement with said retaining member.

2. In a quick-release holder, a support, a retaining member pivotally mounted thereon and having a cavity adapted to receive a pintle on an object to be suspended, a locking. member of interlocking engagement with said retaining member.

3. In a quick-release holder, a support, a retaining member pivotally mounted thereon and having a cavity adapted to receive a pintle on an object to be suspended, a lip extending from said retaining member, a locking member movably mounted on said"support'relatively .to said retaining menzibera'nd adapted to project beneath said lip to hold said retaining member against swinging downward, resilient means normally holding said locking member in its projected position relatively to said retaining member, said locking member having a portion positioned to be abutted by the supported object on swinging the latter, whereby to hold said locking member out of interlocking engagement with said retaining member.

4. In a quick rele'ase holder, a support, a pair of retaining members pivotally mounted on said support in normally edge-abutting relation, the abutting edges being. formed respectivelywith registering complementary .xrecesses. therein, whereby to-form a closed cavity adapted toreceive a pintle on an object:to be. supported in the holder, said edgesibeing geared together above said recesses, a latch movably .mountedon said support and adapted to interlock-with one of said members, resilient means normally holding said latch against said member, said latch having a projecting portion positioned to be abutted by the sup-ported object 1 on swinging the latter, whereby to spread said members apart. and open said cavity at the bottom for release of the pintle;

5. In a quick-release holder, a support, a pair of retaining members pivotally mounted. on said support in normally edge-abutting relation, the abutting edges being formedrespectively with registering complementary recesses therein, whereby to form a closed cavity adapted to receive a pintle on an object to be supported in the holder, meshing gears segments formed on said edges above recesses, a latch movably .mounted on said support and adapted to interlock with one of said members, resilient means normally holding said latch against said member, said latch having a projecting portion'postioned to be abutted by the supported object on swinging the latter; whereby to spread said members apart and open said cavity at the bottom for release of the pintle. I

6. In a quick-release holder, a support, a pair of retaining members pivotally mounted on said movably mounted on said support relatively to support innormally edge-abutting relation; the abutting edges being formed respectively. with registering complementary recesses therein, whereby to form a closed cavity adapted to receive a pintle on an object tov be supported in the holder, said edges being geared together above said recesses, a jlatch'movably mounted on said support and adapted to interlock with one of said members, resilient means normally holding said latch against said member, said latch having-a projecting portion positioned to be abutted by the supported object on-"swinging the latter, whereby .to' spread 'said members apart and open said cavity at the bottom'for release of the pintle, :the member adjacentto said latch having a portion engageable by said latch when in the open position, wherebyto hold said members in the spread position." 1

ROBERT E. BIRDSALLQ 

